Appliance for perfecting the snap connection and disconnection of the tank for floor-washing appliance, containing liquids with a discharge pipe inserted in the element that supports the tank

ABSTRACT

It is a tank ( 1 ) for liquids complete with base valve ( 23 ) with rapid opening and closure feature rendered operational by positioning on, or by lifting the tank ( 1 ) from the support cup ( 2 ) which connects with the discharge element ( 31 ), this support ( 3 ) being supported by the handle projection of the floor-washing appliance itself.  
     This type of tank ( 1 ) and relative support cup ( 2 ) complete with discharge element ( 31 ) makes it possible to either replace or exchange the tank for others full of floor washing liquid.

DESCRIPTIVE TEXT

[0001] 1. Field of Application

[0002] The present invention consists in an appliance perfected for therapid connection and disconnection of the liquid tank applied to a floorwashing appliance with liquid discharge pipe which leads from the tanksupport, supported by the projecting handle.

[0003] The advantages being that the liquid tank may be easilypositioned and removed, even if it is full of liquid, without the riskof any liquid leakage from the valve at the bottom of the tank.

[0004] 2. Technical Details

[0005] It is well known that the floor washing appliance field includesa vast range of elements with liquid tank supported by the handle.

[0006] There are tanks that are supported sideways in a stable manner bythe handle, as well as tanks which are designed so that they areco-axial to the handle. In the case of those tanks which are joined tothe handle, they are filled by removing the lid and pouring the liquidinside. In order to change the type of liquid used it is necessary toempty the tank by overturning the entire element.

[0007] There are also tanks supported by the handle projection which maybe removed and replaced easily every time it is necessary to vary thetype of liquid used or when the liquid contained inside runs out.

[0008] Amongst those tanks liable to be replaced are those in which itnecessary to overturn the inside of the element or others in which thereplacement operation is undertaken more simply without having tooverturn the element, by simply lifting and repositioning them byengaging or disengaging them the engagement element being either snap orconnection type.

[0009] As concerns the tanks that need to be replaced and in particularin those in which it is not necessary to overturn the element, there aremany different designs, featuring different ways of preparing theappliances for connection inside the tank with discharge piping thatends up on ground level which may or may not be intercepted with an exitregulator.

[0010] The support fixed to the handle projection of the device thatneeds replacement is crossed by a pipe which emerges on the top sectionwith a special configuration and which ends up on the lower section witha tubular connection for the attachment of the flexible discharge hosewhich descends towards the liquid output regulator.

[0011] The base of the liquid tank, has a central part from which a pipeexists with a valve, which has a spring closure element, configured insuch a way that the body is accessible from below in the vicinity of theactual closure pipe.

[0012] When the tank is outside the valve operates and is kept in closedposition thanks to the spring.

[0013] When the tan is positioned on the actual support on the handleprojection the part which projects onto the top section of the pipe thatcrossed the support and the lower end of the sealing valve, initiallymatch up.

[0014] By pressing the tank against the support and exceeding the forceof the spring that acts on the valve, this same shifts from the closureposition and the pipe that crossed the support comes into communicationwith the inside of the tank and the liquid contained inside the same, sothat it can flow out.

[0015] The adaptations undertaken to put the pipe that crosses thesupport in communication with the pipes that crosses the bottom of theliquid tank are designed in such a way as to ensure that there is noleakage on positioning the tank on the support or on removing the tankfrom the support and in order to prevent the risk of dripping duringthis connection or disconnection stage.

[0016] The problems that exist on the existing versions relative torapid connection and disconnection of the tank with discharge valvepositioned on the base and underlying discharge piping relate todripping. This occurs every time that the tank is replaced or changed.

[0017] The dripping action becomes more pronounced in time as the resultof the wear on the matching surfaces.

[0018] Another disadvantage of the existing designs and which causesdripping both on the support and the tank is due to the fact that thering shaped seals, whether they be of toroidal or other shape, graduallydry up, but their replacement is not envisage which means that it isnecessary to eliminate the entire tank section.

[0019] Another problem is the fact that the tubular end for theattachment of the flexible discharge hose is made of a single mouldedsection joined to the support which means that if this end breaks it isnecessary to replace the entire support element.

[0020] A further problem is that both in the positioning and in thelifting of the tank from its support in order to complete the fixtureconnection, the rotation of the tank around its axis does not give thecorrect insertion position.

[0021] The fact that the operator has to find the correct insertionposition means that there is a risk that he applies the wrong strainwhich may damage the ends or the elements to which the ends connectwith.

[0022] In this last case it would result in the damage to the entiresupport or tank, making it unfit for use.

[0023] Yet another problem is that at the end of the connectionoperation between the tank and the support, there is nothing to preventany accidental disconnection which may occur as the result of shaking orvibrations to which the tank is subjected during the use of theappliance to which the support is applied on which the tank is mounted.

[0024] Furthermore, another problem is that the tank includes partswhich are glued on and in the parts that are not properly sealed in theassembly zones, there is a risk of bacteria growth or the accumulationof other harmful substances.

AIM OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The aim of the present patent is to prevent the dripping of theliquid during the positioning or removal of the tank from its support.

[0026] Another aim is to facilitate the replacement of the sealingelements as soon as they become damaged (both as the result of ageing ordue to reaction with the liquids with which they come into contact) bypreparing all the individual parts which make up the tank including thebase and the sealing valve body using elements which can be easilyapplied and easily detached.

[0027] Another aim was to produce the part fitted with tubular end forconnection to the flexible discharge hose with a component that could beeasily attached and detached from the projecting support elementwhenever this end section becomes clogged, or wears out or breaks.

[0028] Another purpose is that of visually achieving the correctinsertion position of the tank in relation to the sear of the support inwhich it is inserted, thereby preventing the risk of any forcing by theoperator both in the positioning and in lifting.

[0029] Another aim is that of creating an effective barrier onconnection between the tank and the support in order to ensure that theconnection is maintained even in the event of shaking or vibrations towhich the tank is subjected during the use of the element to which thesupport is attached and to which the tank is mounted.

[0030] The functional assembly of the patented appliance includes thefollowing parts as listed below:

[0031] a cylindrical tubular element which form the liquid tank, usuallymade of transparent material with the bottom part featuring a largecircular hole which is co-axial to the body which continues past thebottom with a sturdy cylindrical element which is also co-axial with theoverlying body. The lower surface of the base walls features cylindricalgrooving in the vicinity of the opening hole, which constitutes the slotfor the seal to which an underlying element will be applied. The upperouter edging of the tubular body of the tank features a glazed surfacefor lid application.

[0032] A cylindrical element in the form of an overturned glass with thesame internal dimensions as the covering of the tank, the head wall ofwhich at the centre is continuous with the slot of the cylindricaltubing for the base valve of the tank. The tubular slot for the valvewhich is co-axial to the wall of the overturned glass, with an axialextension equal to the depth of the overturned glass element. So thatonce the overturned glass element is inserted into the pipe coveringsection, it crossed the circular opening of the tank bottom. Thisoverturned glass circular element is fixed to the base of the tank bymeans of screws, so that its top section, undertakes a compressionaction, to create the sealing potential of the seal located in thegrooved slot on the bottom section of the tan.

[0033] A cylindrical valve body axially perforated, with the exceptionof only the top section, with side windows in communication with theaxial slot, to be positioned in the cylindrical overturned glass slot.This valve body has relative seals both at the top and the bottom, thelower seal is positioned against the internal wall,. While the top sealis positioned against the external tip of the edging of the tubular slotforming part of the overturned glass cylindrical element. The topring-shaped seal is of circular (toroidal) section.

[0034] The lower ring shaped seal is configured in a U shape, theinternal shank rests against eh internal lining of the seat in which thevalve moves so as to create a valid sealing action. Thanks to thesmoothness and elasticity of the external shank and the extendedsupporting surface area, guarantees excellent sealing, without creatingany difficulty in the actual movement of the valve itself.

[0035] At the lower end, the valve body, above the seat of the lowerseal, is fitted with an extension which acts as a batten for the helicalspring which surrounds it in the central zone. This mounted spring willbe pre-charged against a fixed batten formed by a retracted edgingpresent on the top edge of the cylindrical slot in which the valvemoves. The valve is maintained in its slot with the pre-charged springthanks to the seal applied to top end of the valve and this seal in idlevalve position undertakes to withhold it. The valve as described aboveis mainly concerned with liquid flow. The volume relating to the lateraledging of this valve in communication with the axial slots on the lowerparts. The mass of the lateral opening of this valve in communicationwith the axial slots on the lower part, constitutes, when the liquid hasflowed out of the tank, and the detachment of the tank from the supportcup, the quantity of residual liquid that has not been discharged, butbeing retained as the result of a compression action, makes it non-drip.

[0036] A cup support connected laterally to a tubular sleeve to beinserted and fixed on the handle. In the central co-axial zone on thebordering wall section raised above the cup, there is a cylindricalridge element with a through hole, the top end of which has a smallretracting edge. A tubular pipe is inserted inside the slot which at thelower end proceeds with a tubular end arranged at right-angles forattachment to the flexible discharge pipe. A ring-shaped seal isinserted between the retracting edge of the slot and the top of thetubular section which ensures the sealing between the two surfaces whichpress on it. The sleeve to be inserted and fixed to the handle, in thevicinity of its extension, has a cylindrical shaped enlargement in orderto allow the flexible pipe to pass through it which comes from thetubular end section positioned at the lower end of the base section ofthe cup support in order to protect it against the risk of any obstaclesthat may be encountered on moving the appliance. The lower part of thesupport cup has a portion of tube covering which surrounds it, forprotective purposes, to protect the tubular pipe for attachment to theflexible hose.

[0037] A tubular element making up the discharge pipe, made in such away as to enter the cylindrical slot positioned at the centre of thebase of the cup support complete with intermediate flange for fixture onthe lower side of the support cup. The pipe, has an indentation at thetop, with slightly raised internal surface, to facilitate its insertioninto the support slot, in order to hold a toroidal shaped seal, which isalready inserted and acts to compress it against the edging present onthe top part of the same cylindrical slot. The seal positioned at thetop of the cylindrical raised hole in which the pipe is inserted,emerges with a good part of its upper internal surface. The tubularelement which makes up the discharge pipe, continues downwards at anangle with a tubular end for attachment of the flexible piping whichdescends to ground level.

[0038] The above description is further clarified by the encloseddrawings.

[0039]FIG. 1 provide an axonometric view of the appliance applied to thehandle of a floor washing appliance of type featuring control handle forthe regulation of liquid flow which descends down through the flexiblepipe connected to the tubular end connected to the tank support.

[0040]FIG. 2 shows and axonometric view of the appliance complete withtank with lid, mounted coupled on the projecting support with a sleeveto be inserted and fixed onto the handle of the appliance.

[0041]FIG. 3 is the same plane view of the appliance as shown in FIG. 1.

[0042]FIG. 4 shows the appliance as illustrated in FIG. 2 sectioned bymeans of a vertical median plane.

[0043]FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of FIG. 3, in which the tankcomplete with its components is shown out of action outside the support.

[0044]FIG. 6 is a view according to a vertical median planecorresponding to FIG. 1 rotated by 180°.

[0045]FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 6 in which the tank isshown out of action above the tan.

[0046]FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the lid out of action and positionedabove the ventilation regulation cap.

[0047]FIG. 9 provides a sectional view of the tank with lower pipecovering element.

[0048]FIG. 10 provides a sectional view of the ring-shaped seal to bepositioned in the grooved slot on the lower surface of the tank bottom.

[0049]FIG. 11 shows a sectional view of the overturned glass elementwith the cylindrical slot at the centre for the valve to be insertedinto the tank covering section.

[0050]FIG. 12 shows a sectional view of the circular crown disk which,on insertion into the overturned glass element retains the screw heads(not shown in the drawing) in order to fix and to secure the overturnedglass element against the bottom of the tank.

[0051]FIG. 13 shows a sectional view of the base valve complete withsealing elements.

[0052]FIG. 14 shows a sectional view of the cup support, supported bythe projecting sleeve to be inserted and fixed to the handle of thetool, complete with through hole at the centre, with upper retractingedging, the hole constituting the cylindrical slot for the insertion ofthe upper part of the tubular discharge element.

[0053]FIG. 15 shows a sectional view of the seal which, inside the slotof the top part of the discharge pipe needs to be pressed against theretracting edge of this slot and the top of this same discharge pipe.

[0054]FIG. 16 shows a sectional view of the tubular element relative tothe discharge pipe complete with intermediate flange for screw fixture(not shown in the diagram) on the lower level of the support cup.

[0055] The upper part of this discharge pipe is realized in such a wayas to enter the cylindrical slot with hole positioned centrally on thebottom of the support cup for the compression of the ring seal (shown inFIG. 15), against the edge present on the top of this same cylindricalslot.

[0056]FIG. 17 shows an axonometric sectional view of the tank withcovering element, corresponding to FIG. 9.

[0057] The assembly of the various parts of the tank with valve, and thecup support with sleeve and discharge pipe, the positioning and tileremoval of the tank in the support cup, the fixture and disconnection ofthe same is undertaken as described below.

[0058] Insert seal 35 into slot 15 on the lower surface of the bottom 33of tank 1.

[0059] Take valve 23 and apply the ring seal 25 with U-shaped section.Insert the helical spring from above which rests against the circularbatten 42.

[0060] Insert valve 23 equipped with seal 25 and the helical spring (notshown in the drawings) into slot 19 of the overturned glass element 18and push it compressing the helical spring against the retracting edge20 of slot 19 until the top of valve 23 projects over the emerging part37 of the overturned glass element 18.

[0061] Apply seal 24 into the relative slot made in the vicinity of thetop part of valve 23.

[0062] Suspend pressure exerted on the lower part of valve 23 after itsinsertion into slot 19.

[0063] The pre-charge force of the spring makes the valve descend untilseal 24 resting against the top part of the emerging part 37 secures theanti-extraction valve whilst at the same time effecting the sealingclosure of slot 19.

[0064] Then insert the overturned glass element inside the pipe covering16 complete with valve 23, completely assembled so that the emergingpart 37 is positioned inside slot 36 of the tank 1 and so that itstubular ends 21 connect with the pegs 17 of the tank.

[0065] Insert the circular crown disc 22 inside the cavity of theoverturned glass element 18 and insert the screws (not shown in thediagrams) into slots 38.

[0066] These self-threading screws are screwed into the blunt holesarranged axially in the pegs 17 of tank 1

[0067] The tightness of the screws affects the compression of the seal35 between the bottom section of glass element I and the top section ofthe overturned glass element 18.

[0068] To complete the tank assembly screw on lid 4 with ventilation lid5.

[0069] Then take the cup support 2 with projecting sleeve support 3.Insert inside slot 30 seal 43 until it comes to stop against the edgesection 38. Then insert the top part 31 of the discharge pipe untilflange 32 comes against pegs 39 present on the bottom 20 of cup 2.

[0070] Then proceed to apply the screws (not shown in the drawings) intothe holes 40 of flange 32 and screw into the relative pegs 39.

[0071] Seal 43 is compressed between edging 38 and the top of thedischarge pipe 31.

[0072] This seal 43 compressed in this way emerges with a good part ofits toroidal section on edging 38.

[0073] Insert sleeve 3 into the handle of tool 8 and secure it. Applythe flexible pipe 10 into the end section 12 of sleeve 31 and then makeit pass through the expansion 6 of sleeve 3 until it reaches strip 11,ensuring that it is intercepted by an eventual liquid exit regulationappliance.

[0074] Then take tank 1 and position it on support cup 2, positioningpegs 14 fitted to the exterior of the pipe covering element 16 andinsert into the slots of the bayonet element 13 present on the top edgeof cup 2. By applying pressure downwards on tank I the lower part ofslot 19 of the overturned glass element 18 reaches and engages thecylindrical raised element 30, 38 which emerges at the centre of cup 2and the lower part of valve 23 with conical configuration matches upwith seal 43 exerting a compression pressure which offsets thepre-charging force of the helical spring.

[0075] Seal 24 of the valve therefore will appear raised as compared tothe bottom of tank 1 shifting from the emerging top part 37 of theoverturned glass 18. The lateral edging 41 of the valve thatcommunicated with axial slot 26 places the interior of tank I incommunication with the discharge pipe 31 so that the internal liquid canreach the flexible pipe 10 for descent towards ground level.

[0076] At the end of the downwards thrust of tank 2 into cup 2 withmaximum offset exerted as the result of the force of the helical springthat surrounds valve 23, which makes the tank undertake a rotary actionso that its pegs 14 compete the run adhering to the bottom of thebayonet slot 13. The downwards pressure of the tank is suspended and theadditional pre-charging force comes into play supplied to the spring bythe valve, which causes the tank to rise with the consequent rise of itspegs 14. These pegs 14 on rising enter two slots 44 on the top part ofthe bayonet slot 13. There is therefore no risk of disconnection of thetank from its support with pegs 14 due to any shaking or blows to thesupporting tool. In order to remove and lift the tank from the supportit is necessary to undertake the operation in inverse order aspreviously described for assembly and fixture.

[0077] It is therefore necessary to apply adequate pressure to the tankby making the pegs 14 descend from the slots on the bayonet slot 13 andproceed with the tank compressed in this way, making it rotate so thatthe pegs 13 match up with the vertical grooves on the bayonet slot. Withthe ending of the compression on the tank 1 , the pre-charging force ofthe spring of the valve comes into play which acts to close valve 23 andlift tank 1.

[0078] From the above, it is clear that any improvements made byspecialists in the field, will not affect the patent rights.

1) Perfected device for the rapid connection and detachment of the tankof floor washing appliance containing liquids with a discharge pipepresent in the support that supports the tank, with the special featurethat the continuity between the tank interior (1) and the discharge pipe(31) only after the lower end of the base valve of the tank (1), thelower part of which at the end of the lateral edging (41) and equippedwith axial perforations (26) has sealed the upper end of the dischargepipe (31). 2) Perfected device for the rapid connection and detachmentof floor washing device tank containing liquids with a discharge pipe onthe support which supports the tank according to the claim 1, having thespecific characteristic that the sealing between the lower part of thevalve (3) and the bottom of the tank (1) and the upper part of the pipe(31) is by means of a seal (43). 3) Perfected device for the rapidconnection and detachment of the floor washing appliance tank containingliquids with a discharge pipe present on the support which supports thetank in accordance with claim 1, with the special feature being that theseal (43) used to ensure the continuity between the tank interior andthe discharge pipe is connected to the upper end of the discharge pipe(31) and is firmly fixed between the upper end of the discharge pipe(31) and the retracting edge (38) of the slot in which the dischargepipe is inserted (31). 4) Perfected device for the rapid connection anddetachment of the floor washing appliance tank containing liquids with adischarge pipe present on the support which supports the tank inaccordance with claim 3, the special feature of which is that by pushingdownwards on the tank (1) placed inside the cup (2) of the support (3),the lower part of the valve (23) which is conically smoothed reaches theseal (43) which is positioned at the top of the discharge pipe (31). Theresult is that between the lower part of the valve and the seal (43) amutual pressure is exerted so as to create a valid sealing action beforethe liquid begins to flow inside the tank (1) in the discharge pipe (31)and this sealing potential continues until the liquid flow is suspendedon the raising of the tank (1) so as to ensure that there is no risk ofdripping. 5) Perfected device for the rapid connection and detachment ofthe floor washing appliance tank containing liquids with a dischargepipe present on the tank support according to the previous claim, withthe special feature being that all the parts (18, 22, 23) which make upthe tank assembly (1) are easy both to assemble and dismantle making iteasy to replace all the seals should it be necessary (35, 24, 25). 6)Perfected device for the rapid connection and detachment of the floorwashing appliance tank containing liquids with a discharge pipe presenton the tank support, according to the claim 1, with the special featurebeing that the ring shaped seal (24), which is of circular section,mounted in the slot positioned on the upper part of the valve of thetank out of action, as well as having a sealing action, also acts tosecure the valve which, being subject to spring pre-charging force,would otherwise tend to dislodge itself from the slot in which it isinserted. 7) Perfected device for the rapid connection and detachment ofthe floor washing appliance tank containing liquids with a dischargepipe present on the tank support according to the claim 1, with thespecial feature being that the ring shaped seal (25) mounted in the sloton the lower part of the valve (23) is configured in a U-shape so thatthe internal side adheres to the valve, while the external side whichwould otherwise tend to expand outwards, thanks to its smoothness andelasticity in fact succeeds in strongly adhering to the internalsurfaces (19) of the slot in which the valve is inserted (23) therebyachieving highly effective sealing potential even when it rubs againstthis surface (19) as the result of valve movement (23). 8) Perfecteddevice for the rapid connection and detachment of the floor washingappliance tank containing liquids with a discharge pipe present on thetank support according to claim 1, the special feature being that thecup support element (2) which is supported by the handle projection,makes it possible to replace the seal (4) as necessary which pressesagainst the lower part of the valve (23). 9) Perfected device for therapid connection and detachment of the floor washing appliance tankcontaining liquids with a discharge pipe present on the tank supportaccording to claim 1, the special feature of which is that the tubularend (12) for the attachment of the flexible pipe (10) forms part of thedischarge pipe element (31) and is connected in such a manner as to makeit easily separable, and therefore easy to replace, from the cup support(2.3) secured in place by the handle projection (1). This means that inthe event of the obstruction or breakage of this element (12) the entiresupport is not affected (2, 3). 10) Perfected device for the rapidconnection and detachment of the floor washing appliance tank containingliquids with a discharge pipe present on the tank support according toclaim 1 with the special feature being that the cup (2) of the support(3) includes a portion of pipe covering (7) which descends from thelower surface of the cup base section (2) to protect the tubular endsection (12) of the discharge pipe (12, 31) against any obstacles whichit might encounter during the actual movement of the floor washingdevice during its use. 11) Perfected device for the rapid connection anddetachment of the floor washing appliance tank containing liquids with adischarge pipe present on the tank support according to the claim 1, thespecial feature of which is that the sleeve (3) of the support featuresan enlargement (6) in order to contain and protect the portion of theflexible piping (10) which comes from the discharging tubular endsection (12) in order to protect it against the risk of any obstaclesthat it might encounter during the actual tool movement. 12) Perfecteddevice for the rapid connection and detachment of the floor washingappliance tank containing liquids with a discharge pipe present on thetank support according to claim 1 the special feature being that withtank (1) inserted in the cup (2) of the support, it is the valve (23)itself which is crossed by the liquid which is discharged (31) from thelower part of tank (1). The result is that on its sealed closure on thedisconnection of the tank (1) from cup (2) of the support, as the resultof the principle of liquid depression it retains the residual liquidwhich occupies the volume as defined by its lateral edging (41) and byits axial slot (26) present on the lower end therefore preventing therisk of any dripping. 13) Perfected device for the rapid connection anddetachment of the floor washing appliance tank containing liquids with adischarge pipe present on the tank support; the special feature of whichis that the elements which connect the tank and the support cup (that isthe pegs (14) which are positioned on the exterior of the pipe covering(16) of the tank (1)), and the slots (13) arranged according to the“bayonet” connection principle, around the upper edge of the cup (2),are visibly accessible to the operator which means that the connectionand disconnection operations are facilitated without having to try andattempt to search for the correct position and without any futileforcing of the parts to be connected. 14) Perfected device for the rapidconnection and detachment of floor washing appliance tank containingliquids with a discharge pipe present on the tank support according toclaim 13 the special feature of which being that the connection betweenthe tank (1) and support (2) occurs in accordance with the “bayonetattachment” principle, by inserting the pegs (14) which are fittedexternally on the pipe covering (16) of the tank (1) on the entrances ofthe bayonet slots (13) present on the upper part of the cup edging (2),thereby exerting a downward pressure on the tank in order to offset thevalve pre-charge pressure (23), and by rotating the tank so that thepegs (14) are positioned under the slot edging (13) on which there is aspecial raised cavity (44) to permit the pegs to rise inside, so as toensure connection stability; another feature is that for disconnectionit is necessary to undertake all the connection operations but inreverse order.